1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

The New Brunswick Anglican / 1
JUNE 2015
Cathedral
pewter
will live on
page 9
Bishop
Nutter’s
legacy
page 6
Busy building
a church in
Roatan, Honduras
page 4
JUNE 2015
A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL
Progress made on
cathedral hall issues
By Gisele McKnight
A few months ago, the fate of
Cathedral Memorial Hall was
anyone’s guess. While its long
term future remains unknown,
for now it will get a much-needed roof with a grant from the
diocese.
At Diocesan Council in
Miramichi April 22, recognizing
Christ Church Cathedral as the
Mother church of the diocese,
council passed a motion to give
$250,000 to facilitate urgent
repairs. A new roof is the most
pressing need, as leaks have
caused the formation of mould,
according to a report on the
building’s condition done six
months ago.
“The money will go with our
own fundraising to do what
needs to be done at the hall,”
said Tom Fetter, who attended
via audio link. “The chapter
wasn’t anticipating any grant. I’ll
be delighted to bring that back
to Bishop and Chapter.”
He is lay chair of Bishop and
St. Mike’s gets its
hooks into teens
and won’t let go
page 12
SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON
DINNER ON A MISSION
Chapter and told council his
group was humbled by the grant.
Much more needs to be done
to the hall, including the installation of an elevator for accessibility, and the grant will not be
enough to fund that upgrade,
but it alleviates some of the pressure felt by both council and by
Bishop and Chapter.
At the February diocesan
council meeting, members were
not able to reach a decision on the
future of the hall. There were passionate arguments for and against
a $2.7 million retrofit. In the end,
council chose to table a motion
by the finance committee that
rejected support for the retrofit.
“Probably what this means is
the current plans [for a retrofit]
are dead, if not on life support,”
said Fetter, adding they tried to
rework the plans to cut the cost,
but changes would have compromised the functionality of
the building.
At the end of the discussion,
See ‘Diocesan’ on page 2
WELCOME ACW!
McKnight photo
Don Adams takes salmon from the oven during the fundraising dinner for Camp Medley May 2. See
more photos and the story on page 10.
Diocese to host provincial
House of Bishops, Synod
By Gisele McKnight
McKnight photo
Hazel Carroll and Gloria Knowles of St. George’s in Bathurst
were greeted by Bishop David Edwards as they arrived at the
annual meeting of the ACW in Fredericton May 5. See more
photos and the story on page 7.
The last week of June will be a
busy one for the diocese as it
plays host to the Ecclesiastical
Province of Canada Provincial
Synod.
The Ecclesiastical Province
was formed in 1860 and meets
in synod every three years with
the bishops and clerical and lay
delegates from each of the seven
dioceses that form the Province
— Montreal, Quebec, Fredericton, Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island, Western Newfoundland, Central Newfoundland and Eastern Newfoundland
and Labrador.
To save on travel time and
expenses, the Provincial House
of Bishops meets just prior to
each synod meeting. Both events
will take place at the St. Thomas
University conference centre
on Forest Hill Road, Frederic-
ton, with the House of Bishops
meeting June 23-24 and Synod
running from June 25-28.
The Diocese of Montreal will
elect a new bishop June 6, as
Bishop Barry Clark is retiring
Aug. 31, and the bishop-elect
will be invited to join the meeting. Percy Coffin is the archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada and the bishop of
See ‘Safe Church’ on page 2
2 / The New Brunswick Anglican
JUNE 2015
diocesan news
Diocesan council, St. Andrew’s celebrate bishop’s birthday
Continued from page 1
two motions were approved
unanimously: that the Cathedral/Synod joint project for the
hall retrofit not be approved, and
that a $250,000 grant be approved to help pay for the hall’s
needed repairs.
Other pressing issues from
the hazmat report on the hall
— heavy metal contamination
from the pewtersmith shop and
the presence of asbestos — have
already been addressed.
In other council business,
Bishop David Edwards asked
those present for feedback on
the current structure of committees and teams.
Youth and intergenerational director Colin McDonald
reported that summer camp
chaplains are still needed for
a few weeks. Volunteers need
not be priests, he said. Spiritually mature leaders are what he’s
looking for.
He reported on the success
of Youth Matters training this
spring.
“There are lots of really wonderful things happening in the
diocese with our young people,”
he said. “It takes an investment,
and young people are desperate
for our investment.”
Motions passed:
• Council approved the transfer of ownership of the Cathedral Medley library to the University of New Brunswick, where
it will be better catalogued and
easier to use.
• Council appointed several
people to the Diocesan Misconduct Committee: Barbara Richards as diocesan misconduct officer; Victoria Hachey as assistant
diocesan misconduct officer; and
Greg McMullin, David Turner,
Susan Jack and Shara Golden as
members of the Diocesan Misconduct Committee.
• Council will thank Fred
Nicholson for his service as
interim diocesan misconduct
officer, whose appointment will
end June 1.
• Archdeacon Cathy Laskey
was appointed diocesan privacy
officer effective immediately.
• Council dissolved the
Diocesan Sexual Misconduct
Committee and will express its
appreciation to members Fred
Nicholson, Bonita LeBlanc,
Barbara Richards and Walter
Williams.
• Council approved the appointment of Bishop Claude
Miller as diocesan representative
to the Atlantic School of Theology board.
The kitchen crew of St.
Andrew’s in Miramichi put on
a delicious soup and sandwich
lunch, and everyone celebrated
Bishop David’s birthday with
best wishes and a surprise birthday cake.
Council member Don Adams
offered a special prayer for Bishop David and Heather Miller as
they prepared to participate in a
Companion Diocese Consultation for Canadian partners with
McKnight photo
Diocesan Council met one day after Bishop David Edwards’ birthday,
so a surprise cake seemed appropriate. Here, Dave Page of St. Andrews
in Miramichi presents the cake, while members of the kitchen crew,
Barbara Stinson and Marie Murphy, enjoy the moment. But the
question is, what’s the significance of six candles?
Dioceses in Africa. In May they
were to travel to Dar Es Salam,
Tanzania for the consultation
and then to the Diocese of Ho in
Safe Church, youth on the agenda for synod
Continued from page 1
Western Newfoundland.
Expected topics during the
House of Bishops will be the
state of the church and the
Province, said Jim Sweeney, lay
secretary for the Province.
“Everyone’s facing declining
numbers,” he said.
They are also expected to hear
from Bishop Dennis Drainville
of Quebec regarding the restructuring within his diocese, he
said.
The Thursday, June 25 synod
schedule will include opening
Eucharist at St. Margaret’s, just
up the street from the conference centre, misconduct
training, meetings that include
sessional committee reports, and
an amendment of the Provincial
Misconduct policy under the
Safe Church regulation.
Most of Friday will be taken
up with more meetings, discussions, reports and motions. The
Diocese of Fredericton will host
a banquet that evening.
The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz,
Primate of the Anglican Church
of Canada, will attend part of the
synod and will present a reflection on the church during the
Saturday morning session.
Table discussion on Saturday
will include youth ministry and
its future. The Province held
a successful Train-the-Trainer event last year to upgrade
volunteer leaders from the seven
dioceses, said Charles Ferris,
chancellor of the Province, and
he expects the discussion will be
interesting.
Ghana with Bishop Matthias.
The next council meeting will
be held June 20 at Camp Brookwood in Florenceville-Bristol.
Want to walk with the bishop or read
his pilgrimage blog this month?
Meetings are scheduled to go
well into the evening on Saturday.
Sunday will see the group
congregate at Christ Church
Cathedral for the 10 a.m. service, with departure after lunch.
At the last synod in 2012,
delegates passed three resolutions that will see further discussion this time around.
• Review of the seven dioceses in the province and the
possibility of reorganization of
them.
• Sharing of administrative
functions and resources within
the Ecclesiastical Province of
Canada.
• Implementing a companion
diocese model to include havenot parishes within the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.
anglican.nb.ca/wp/pilgrimage
Deadline for news and photo
submissions to the New Brunswick
Anglican is the first working day of the
month prior to publication.
www.anglican.nb.ca
Official Publication of the Diocese of Fredericton
A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL
Episcopal
announcements
• Bishop David Edwards has
recommended the Most Rev.
Claude Miller, former archbishop of Fredericton, as the Diocese
of Fredericton’s second representative to the Atlantic School of
Theology Board of Governors,
effective July 2015 through June
2018.
• The Rev. Ellen Curtis, chaplain to Saint John Regional and
St. Joseph’s hospitals, will be on
extended medical leave as of
May 31.
• The Rev. Sandra HounsellDrover will resign as priest-incharge of the Parishes of Cambridge & Waterborough and
Gagetown, effective July 24. She
is leaving the diocese because
her husband is being posted to
British Columbia.
• Cleo Cyr has been appointed
as warden of layreaders.
• Dr. Kelly VanBuskirk has
been appointed vice-chancellor
to the diocese, effective immediately.
• Diocesan Council, at its April
meeting, appointed Barbara
Richards as diocesan misconduct officer and Victoria
Hachey as assistant diocesan
misconduct officer, effective
June 1.
• Diocesan Council, at its April
meeting, appointed Archdeacon Cathy Laskey as diocesan
privacy officer, effective immediately.
• The Rev. Canon Walter
Williams has been appointed
regional dean of the Deanery
of Fredericton for the period of
April 15, 2015 to April 15, 2017.
The Rt. Rev. David Edwards Bishop and Publisher
Gisele McKnightEditor
Published 10 times per year. Price of subscription $10.00
Please send news and photo submissions to
115 Church St., Fredericton, NB E3B 4C8
Phone: 506-459-1801; E-mail: gmcknight@diofton.ca
Please send subscription renewals and changes of address to:
The New Brunswick Anglican
c/o Anglican Journal Circulation Dept., 80 Hayden St, Toronto, Ont.
M4Y 3G2
Printed & mailed in North York, Ontario
By Webnews Printing Inc.
The New Brunswick Anglican / 3
JUNE 2015
the bishop’s page
Camping ministry is vital
C
an you believe it is June?
It’s the season where we
can begin to think about
kicking back, and enjoying the
summer sunshine.
One of the important things
happening during the next few
months is the various camps
across the diocese. We have
Medley celebrating its 70th
anniversary, Brookwood with its
cozy intimacy and St. Michael’s
College which integrates study
and fun. The importance of
these activities to the faith development of our young people,
both the campers and those who
lead them, cannot be overestimated.
The important aspect of
our camping ministries is that
they centre upon Jesus. There
is a great need for our camps to
point young people towards a
lifetime of following him. For
many people who look back on
their experience of these ministries over the years it is seen as a
vital part of the foundation of a
life in Christ.
Admittedly for others the
effect was not quite so profound,
but as I travel the diocese I come
across people who have good
things to say about one or more
of our camps.
We may wonder about the
value of such ministries, so
let me illustrate with a story
from the Church of England.
Before the Second World War,
an English cleric called E. H. J.
Nash, working with the Scripture Union, started a series of
summer camps, which became
known as “Bash Camps.”
The intention was to try to
identify future Christian leaders
both in the Church and wider
society and shape their faith.
This proved highly successful,
and over the years people such
as John Stott, Michael Green,
David Watson, Nicky Gumbel
and Justin Welby attended these
events.
Very few people have heard of
Nash, though if you Google him
you will find many references.
Yet he has had a profound effect
upon the Church worldwide and
continues to do so years after his
death. What Nash saw was the
potential to give a young person
the opportunity to explore faith
during the teenage years and
also to have their first opportunity to lead.
In addition, Nash was determined that throughout the year
between camps the young participants were connected with
vibrant organizations, churches,
Christian Unions and so on, in
order to give them continued
support and faith development.
In this diocese our camps
play a tremendous role in inspiring our young people to be Jesus
followers. They come back year
after year to be invigorated by
their time at camp. The teaching
is great, the times with others are
fantastic. It is a great experience.
The problem is that all too
often the camp experience is
viewed by many as their spiritual high which has to get them
through until the next summer. I
am afraid this is not enough.
We need to take a leaf from
Mr. Nash’s book and seriously
act upon the need for effective
support, friendship and mentoring throughout the year.
Our camps are a vital ministry, but we have to grow in
wisdom as to how camp can
continue throughout the year for
those who are hungry to learn
more of Jesus.
V
sibility for creation and honour
God in its use. Caring for God’s
creation is indeed a ministry in
itself and we share in this when
we live the Fifth Mark of Mission.
Vanessa understands this
ministry responsibility. Her
project “The Choices You Make”
talks about her visit to Western
Valley Regional Service Commission and its role. Blessings
to her for living this Mark of
Mission!
Her project was one of the
10 grand prize winners from
an estimated 500 entries in the
Annual Meduxnekeag River
Association competition which
encouraged local children to do
projects about “Being Green.”
As a diocesan family, through
the Stewardship Team, we are
being encouraged to be green. A
few people have agreed to begin
to work together as a Diocesan
Environmental Task Group of
sorts. Like Vanessa, our project
will hopefully result in learning
about what resources, technologies and best practices are
available.
And like Vanessa, we will
consider ways to share this information with others so that we
can all join in living this Mark of
Mission more fully.
If we are blessed to hear the
stories about how we as Anglicans are protecting and caring for
creation, then these too can be
shared to encourage others to live
in a similar way.
Our national church has a
Creation Matters working group
and in April, Jim Knight became
a part of this group, representing
our diocese, and ensuring that
we are a part of a much larger
May 31 - June 14 Pilgrimage Archdeaconry of
St. Andrews
June 15 - 18 Clergy College
June 18 Deconsecration,
St. George’s, West
Saint John
June 20 Diocesan Council
June 21 Parish of
Coldbrook &
St. Mary * and Archdeaconry of
Moncton *
June 22 David Edwards is Diocesan Bishop of
Fredericton.
The integrity of creation: sustain and renew the earth
anessa Goodwin, a
Grade 4 student from
Florenceville Elementary School and a member of
the parish family of Holy Trinity,
Hartland is living the Fifth Mark
of Mission. She is striving “to
safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the
life of the earth.”
And even more than this, she
is intentionally helping others
do the same. In a very real way
she is living out her baptismal
covenant!
With the passing of resolution
C001 at the 2013 General Synod,
a ninth question was added to
the baptismal covenant inquiry
in the Book of Alternative Services (BAS).
Celebrant: Will you strive to
safeguard the integrity of God’s
creation, and respect, sustain
and renew the life of the Earth?
People: I will, with God’s help.
This question is a reminder to
us of our responsibility to care
for the earth. The creation story
of Genesis 1:1 – 2:4 shares how
human beings are to take respon-
principal
engagements
conversation and sharing of
ideas.
If you want to be a part of the
work that will take place and
want to contribute as a member
of the Diocesan Environmental
Task Group, plan to come to the
first meeting at 2 p.m. June 16 at
the synod office in Fredericton.
If you are interested and can’t
make this meeting, contact me
as meeting times for the future
meetings will take into consideration people’s schedules as well
as the option to join by teleconference or Skype.
Let’s join together and live
all of the Five Marks of Mission
as a people of God at this time
within the contexts and places
where we find ourselves!
The earth is the LORD’s and
all that is in it, the world, and
those who live in it; for God
has founded it on the seas, and
established it on the rivers. Psalm
24:1-2
Archdeacon Cathy Laskey is the
executive assistant to the bishop
and secretary of Synod.
WHEN YOU ... listen with all your heart • honour your elders • encourage young people to take over the church often and
loudly • choose good over evil • welcome the stranger • write the government about the issues that matter • invite a
co-worker to church • help your dad do housework • get messy with your Sunday school kids • say “Thank you Lord”
and mean it • Tweet your blessings one by one • introduce your grandchildren to nature • read and share God’s word •
...THEN YOU ARE LIVING THE MARKS OF MISSION www.anglican.ca/marks
Service of New
Ministry, Parish
of Fredericton,
Wandlyn Snelgrove
June 23 - 28 Provincial Synod
and House of
Bishops
June 28 Ordination, Christ
Church Cathedral
JULY Vacation
Aug. 9 Parish of
Gagetown
(135th Anniversary)
Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 Clergy Conference
* Denotes
confirmation
Clergy
Conference
Aug. 31 – Sept. 2
Rothesay
Netherwood School
John Bowen, director of
the Wycliffe Serves! & The
Institute of Evangelism,
will be the speaker His theme: Re-imagining
Church: Shaped for Mission Please pray for all
who will gather
4 / The New Brunswick Anglican
JUNE 2015
missions
Submitted photo
Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Roatan, Honduras is just a shell, awaiting a roof and interior finishes. The growing congregation meets under the shelter within the walls of what will
be the completed church.
In His Time
By Gisele McKnight
When Kara Thompson Mejia
starts to talk about her life and
her ministry in Roatan, Honduras, she comes alive with
enthusiasm.
“It’s my home now,” she
told the congregation at Christ
Church Cathedral on April 19.
“I can’t imagine being anywhere
else.”
Kara and her daughter, Kelly,
7, are home in New Brunswick
for a few months, visiting her
parents, Rev. Gordon and Bell
Thompson in Miramichi. In late
May, her husband, Nelson, and
son, Stephen, 12, will join them.
Both Kara and Nelson are
available to speak to congregations and church groups,
although they are obviously popular — every Sunday is already
booked. Weekdays are still free,
however.
Kara felt the call to minister
in Honduras when she graduated from St. Stephen University
in 1996. She applied to SAMS
(South American Mission Society) and fulfilled her dream. She
met her husband, Nelson Mejia,
in Honduras and they married
in 2002.
Kara told of their ministry
Submitted photo
Sarah McDonald and Katelyn Thomas work on construction
while Dylan Nicoll holds a ladder in the background during the
March mission to Roatan.
After almost two decades in Honduras, Kara
Thompson Mejia has learned you can’t rush God
that began on the island of
Roatan, just off the coast of
Honduras, in 2006.
“You know how you’re excited
for a new job and what could be
ahead? Then you try to make an
impact but see nothing happening? You doubt and you pray and
pray, waiting for an answer?”
That’s exactly how she felt
nine years ago when Lloyd Allen, bishop of Honduras, sent
them to Roatan.
“We spent seven years trying
to build a new church. We had
meetings and meetings — all
with the same 20 people. We
were trying to evangelize. We
wanted to see people come to
Jesus… It’s so easy to doubt.”
She reminded the congregation that everything happens in
God’s perfect time because he is
in control.
They had tried to buy a piece
of land on which to build a new
church, but the woman selling it
refused their $40,000 offer. She
wanted $60,000.
They asked her often, but the
answer was always the same, so
they moved on to another piece
of land.
In fact, when visiting New
Brunswick three years ago, they
showed congregations photos of
the land they intended to buy.
But that was not to be. When
they returned home, Nelson
decided to call the original seller
one more time.
“This piece of land is meant
to be yours,” she said, and the
negotiations began.
From then on, God’s blessings
have flowed freely. Their 20-person congregation has grown past
85 and is still growing.
“We have more people than
we have chairs,” she said. “It’s
God saying ‘everything will happen in my time.’”
In March, a group of a dozen
Fredericton-area people visited
Kara and Nelson and helped
build more walls for the church.
In the meantime, the congregation meets under what we
would call a large picnic shelter.
They have a roof on their shelter,
but no walls. And they have
church walls, but so far, no roof.
In a video Kara showed the
congregation, Erik Flores talked
about meeting his future wife,
who attended the church. He
testified to a 360 degree change
in their lives.
“Slowly God was pulling us
in,” he said.
Others, young and old, spoke
of hope and happiness, renewed
marriages and freedom from
addictions they’ve found from
attending Emmanuel Episcopal
Church.
Once completed, the church
building will also serve as an
emergency shelter during hurricanes on the island and will
house a sewing centre to provide
work for single mothers on the
Kara Thompson Mejia
island.
The Mejias are not only building a church, they’re building
and empowering a congregation
and a community.
Like so many missions, theirs
runs on a shoestring and it could
use some help — prayerfully and
financially.
“Everything we do is through
the support of churches and
individuals,” she said. “Last year
there were times when SAMS
was not able to send us our
budget. Everything you do for us
helps to transform lives.”
Visit www.samscanada.ca and
click on ‘partners and projects’
to find Kara and Nelson.
To book a speaking engagement, email Holly Gallant:
hbgall@hotmail.com.
The New Brunswick Anglican / 5
JUNE 2015
around the diocese
We filled our boots!
Getting to
know Ho
By Heather Miller
The parish of St. Patrick’s,
Kpando is in one of the oldest administrative districts in
Ghana. It is located 70 kilometres northeast of Ho and covers
a large area between the Togo
border and Lake Volta.
St. Patrick’s is different from the
other churches in the diocese. St.
Patrick’s does not have a church
building although there is one
under construction on the property adjacent to the church school.
This is where the services are held.
When establishing a church
in rural Ghana, a school is usually built first to help educate the
young. The church and mission
house come later as funds become
available through mission support.
The priest and area dean, Rev.
Canon Prosper F.K. Deh, lives in
a mission house in the town of
Kpando, away from the church
property.
Kpando has a population
of 28,000 people, most of who
work in small crop production.
There are some new pineapple,
Heather Miller photos
Left: the school and St. Mark’s
church in Kpando. Above: Rev.
Joseph Bentum, second from left,
and Archbishop Claude Miller.
pawpaw and sunflower plantations that provide employment,
but most of the population is
very poor.
When the Volta hydroelectric
dam was built in 1960-65 Lake
Volta was created, the largest
manmade lake in the world.
Much of the Kpando area was
flooded, creating a huge number
of displaced people that, to this
day, perch on the shores of the
lake in poverty trying to make
a living from a depleted fishing
industry.
The Archdeaconry of Woodstock is paired in prayer with the
Parish of St. Patrick’s, Kpando
as well as the subparish of St.
Mark’s in Dzoanti, which has
built a church/school, and four
other outstations.
Pioneeering parish nurse retires
By Gisele McKnight
The health ministry team at St.
Margaret’s in Forest Hill, Fredericton will continue to care for
its congregation, but without the
skills of its parish nurse.
Nancy Wiggins, a pioneer of
parish nursing in New Brunswick, has retired. A gala celebration of parish nursing and of
Nancy’s years of commitment to
the church was celebrated May 2.
“The highlight for me was
having our family there,” said
Nancy. “The food was beautiful.
People really outdid themselves
with the lunch.”
A friend from Campobello
made the trip as well.
Sister Ernestine LaPlante,
another pioneer in the ministry,
gave a presentation on the history of parish nursing in New
Brunswick. Nancy received a
certificate from the Canadian
Association for Parish Nursing Ministry, and gifts from the
parish and the Tuesday morning
coffee club, where Nancy has
been a fixture, checking blood
pressures and offering guidance.
This fall, Nancy and a fellow
nurse will enjoy a Mediterranean
cruise. Knowing that, many
nurse colleagues gifted her with
submitted photo
Kathleen Snow, right, a nurse
and member of the health
ministry team at Christ
Church Cathedral, presents
Nancy Wiggins with the crest
of the Canadian Association
for Parish Nursing Ministry.
a travel wallet, telling her to let
them know after the cruise how
it worked out.
“It’s a good thing I’m a curious person,” said Nancy, because
she decided to have a look and
found the wallet was stuffed with
cheques, cash and good wishes.
Even without Nancy, the
health ministry team at St.
Margaret’s is well-equipped to
offer care. It has a respiratory
therapist, a first responder and
other professionals who will take
care of parishioners. Nancy will
continue on the team as well, but
not in an official nurse capacity.
Parish nursing has been
Nancy’s second career. She spent
31 years at the University of
New Brunswick as a professor
and then assistant dean of the
Faculty of Nursing. She retired
in 1999, but was already the
parish nurse at St. Margaret’s by
that time.
“During my brief time as rector at St. Margaret’s, I’ve come
to appreciate the importance
of the parish nursing ministry,”
said the Rev. Richard Robinson. “This has been confirmed
through the dedicated and
genuine love Nancy Wiggins has
brought to our parish. “Her expertise has raised the
bar and shown the value of professional nursing in the over-all
health of the church. Through
mutual respect and co-operation
between rector and parish nursing, we can competently minister to the ‘whole person.’”
The Anglican Diocese of Nova
Scotia & Prince Edward Island
hosted the Vital Church Maritimes 2015 conference called Fill
Your Boots - Stepping Out Into
Mission April 21-23 in Halifax.
Here’s feedback from some who
attended.
• It was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. It
was relevant, engaging, and applicable to our parish community and diocese. Keynote speaker
Rev. Dr. Judy Paulsen reflected
the light of Christ in her dynamic talks. Viewing “the Church”
through eyes of the seeker, Judy
invited participants to enter the
New Reality, where the rules of
engagement have changed. I
sincerely look forward to sharing
Judy’s six study sessions in our
parish this fall.
Rev. Bonnie LeBlanc
• The workshop on empowering lay leaders was certainly a
high point for me. Based on my
experiences of my own growth,
it really does become important
that we use the tools of prayer,
coaching, mentoring and training. One of the other high points
for me was the session on inviting. Invite may be a small word
but so much more. It involves
work and change. We realize
how awkward we are with it, still
being fearful of how to approach
it and the fact that one invite is
not enough. It is a process.
Donna Murchison
Parish of Kingston
• It was an energizing opportunity to share ideas about
faith and how to bring them to
our world. At the end of each
day there was a “Kicking Off
the Boots” session where the attendees could share what excited
them and what challenged them
each day.
Dave Alston
• The conference was well
worth the drive to Halifax. Both
Diane and I enjoyed the experience of less structured worship
services and keeping our minds
focused on evangelism and ministry. It was refreshing not to be
bogged down with traditional liturgy, finances and building woes.
In the church there are no
volunteers, only people blessed
with different ministries, and we
should mentor and encourage
lay leaders to bear witness. These
are some of the items I took
away from the messages of the
keynote speakers.
Gary Howarth
• From the moment that we
arrived we felt the excitement
of the conference from all those
that we met. The main goal
of the conference was that all
would leave with a sense of optimism and encouragement and
to return to our home parishes
with ideas and plans that could
be implemented there and the
courage to step up and step out
into mission!
A theme throughout was
that God is always going ahead
of us, walking along side those
who are seeking Him. We must
follow and catch up to him and
share the good news.
Sharon Arbeau
Parish of Kingston
Baby Byron’s baptism
submitted photo
Families, friends and the congregation of the Church of the
Ascension, Apohaqui, on April 19, celebrated the baptism
service for baby Byron Christopher John Ostrom, born Feb.
17, son of Byron and Cindy Ostrom, seen here, left. Standing
in front next to them are Godparents Kevin and Marianne
Mitten, and priest-in-charge, the Rev. Wally Collett, holding
baby Byron.
6 / The New Brunswick Anglican
JUNE 2015
around the diocese
Meet your bishop
This is the fifth and final story in the series on the Diocese
of Fredericton’s bishops. This month we feature Bishop
Harold Nutter, who served from 1971-1989
By Gisele McKnight
The 1970s and 80s were a tumultuous time in the western world
— and the church — and overseeing it all in New Brunswick
was Bishop Harold Lee Nutter.
Since November, Bishop
Harold has lived in the Perth
Community Care Centre in
Perth, Ont., five minutes from
his wife, Edith, who lives in their
condo. Their daughter, Patricia,
is nearby, as are her sons, who
live in Ottawa. The bishop’s son,
Bruce, is a retired priest living in
Europe.
Both Harold and Edith are 91.
They moved from Fredericton to
Perth four years ago to be near
their daughter.
“I think he has very happy
memories of his time as bishop,”
said Edith. “It grieves me that he
has so little memory left.”
It wasn’t possible to interview
the bishop, so Edith is the main
voice here, along with information gleaned from documents and
biographies in the Synod office.
Issues that some might see
as inconsequential now were of
major importance during Bishop
Harold’s tenure. The ordination
of women and the use of the
more modern Book of Alternative Services occupied many a
meeting and mind.
In the end, the bishop insisted that the Book of Common
Prayer remain the standard,
requiring that it be used at least
half the time in the parishes.
That’s a rule still in effect today,
and some churches still refuse to
use the BAS.
In the early 1970s, General
Synod did what some would
regard as unthinkable — it
approved female priests. Traditional New Brunswick would
have none of that, and the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton in
1973 formally disagreed. A later
synod, however, reversed the
decision, and left it to the bishop
to choose.
“It was very much on his
shoulders,” said Edith, remembering the discord well. “It was
turned down the first time, but
not long after it was accepted. I
think Harold himself was very
cautious. Not that he himself
disapproved, but many parishes
were not ready for it.”
Because of the strong opinions, the process had to be
gradual, she said.
While Bishop Harold did not
choose to ordain any women
candidates, he did “clear the
way for such ordinations by his
successor in accepting Patricia
Brittain and Elizabeth Northcott
as candidates for Holy Orders,
and licensing a woman priest,
the Rev. Brenda McKnight,
ordained in another diocese, and
employed in a hospital pastoral
care department,” says a Synod
document.
Bishop Harold made history
when he became the first New
Brunswicker to lead the diocese.
“He was always proud of
that,” said Edith.
Another accomplishment
was the establishment of the
diocesan archive, first at Cathedral Memorial Hall, and then
at the Public Archives of New
Brunswick. It was in 1963 that
he asked the parishes to bring in
their records.
“He saw the value of preser-
Frank Morehouse photo
Former diocesan archivist Twila Buttimer with Bishop Nutter in the Anglican archives at the Public
Archives of New Brunswick, date unknown.
vation,” said former diocesan
archivist Twila Buttimer, who
took over the collection in 1989
at the public archives.
When she had questions,
people would tell her, ‘call the
bishop,’ but the member of the
United Church of Canada was
reluctant.
“I didn’t even know what a
bishop was!” she said. “I finally
broke down and did it, and he
became a great source, a great
teacher.”
Bishop Harold is also credited
with moving the diocesan office
from Saint John to Fredericton,
and expanding the support staff
to run the office.
His concern for young people
prompted him to appoint a
youth director, Bruce McKenna.
“Bishop Nutter deeply believed
in the value of youth ministry,
but my appointment as full-time
diocesan youth co-ordinator
was a big risk for him and the
diocese for at least two reasons,”
said Bruce, who is priest and
rector of Holy Trinity in Nasonworth. “It was a pioneer ministry
and I was a lay person.
“The initial three-year term
stretched into 10 years that were
full of challenges and joys. I will
always be grateful to Bishop
Nutter for his wise and warm
counsel to me, his constant
support of young people in the
diocese and his willingness to
risk ‘new things,’ for the sake of
the Gospel, that bore much fruit
in the lives of young people and
parishes in the diocese.”
Edith remembers her husband as a very busy bishop,
particularly on the regional,
national and even international
level. He visited South Africa
twice during the height of apartheid. He went to Lambeth. He
hosted meetings of the General
Synod in 1983 at the University
of New Brunswick. He was vicepresident of the Canadian Bible
Society. He was the Legislative
Assembly’s chaplain for four
years. He served briefly as acting
primate after Archbishop Scott’s
resignation in 1986.These are
just a few of the posts he held
during his tenure.
After retiring in 1989 at age
65, Bishop Harold spent a lot
of time caring for their large
property off the Carlisle Road
on the north side of Fredericton.
He often filled in for vacationing clergy. And the couple spent
many summers at a mission
church on the north shore of the
St. Lawrence River in Quebec.
While his memory has faded,
he still recognizes his wife,
daughter and grandsons, who
are frequent visitors.
When asked for her view
of her husband’s legacy, Edith
said, “His years as bishop were
marked by an openness and
great love of people and a concern for the clergy. I believe the
clergy felt he was a devoted pastor to them and their families.”
It’s family time at Camp Medley
Happy graduation!
By Gisele McKnight
submitted photo
May 2nd saw two postulants from Fredericton, David Peer and
Thomas Nisbett, graduate with Masters of Divinity degrees from
Atlantic School of Theology. From left, the Rev. Debra Burleson,
Anglican formation director; David Peer, Thomas Nisbett and
Archbishop Claude Miller, representing the diocese.
Overdue for some quality family
time? We have a camp for that,
says youth and intergenerational ministries director Colin
McDonald.
Camp Medley continues to
celebrate its 70th anniversary this
year with family camp taking
place June 26-28.
“It’s a great opportunity to
spend time with your family and
the larger community of faith,”
said Colin.
“There will be lots of oppor-
tunities for people to relax, sit
by the water. We’ll have lots of
programs and activities, but you
can participate as you see fit.”
This year, the Mother’s Union
will run a fair on Saturday with
plenty of games, races, activities
and fun for all ages.
A family of four can enjoy the
weekend, all-inclusive for $150,
and $25 for each additional person, which can include anyone
you consider family. Don’t forget
grandparents, too.
“We so value the family unit,”
said Colin. “We want everyone
to come together as a faith community and enjoy life. The theme
is finding joy.”
Colin promises a few surprises you won’t want to miss,
knowing Colin.
Families need to bring their
sleeping bags and pillows as well
as toiletries. Everything else is
provided.
If families would prefer to
bring a tent or trailer, they’re
welcome to do so for rough
camping (no hookups).
Visit campmedley.ca and click
on camps to register.
The New Brunswick Anglican / 7
JUNE 2015
anglican church women
ACW has successful annual meeting in Fredericton
By Gisele McKnight
A total of 143 Anglican Church
Women enjoyed a two-day annual meeting that saw warm,
sunny weather and equally warm
fellowship at Christ Church
(Parish) Church in Fredericton
May 5-6.
Display tables allowed members to browse in the lounge on
opening day. Frank Morehouse
and Twila Buttimer had their
Archives Corner book for sale
and the Catholic Bookstore in
Saint John did a brisk business
at their display. Missionary Kara
Thompson Mejia displayed
photos of her church and life in
Roatan, Honduras.
The Rev. Wandlyn Snelgrove
welcomed the women to the first
session, telling them it was only
the fifth day of her new post as
rector at the parish church.
Bishop David Edwards greeted members as they arrived, and
gave the sermon at their opening
service. The readings included
a passage from John which discussed Jesus as the bread of life.
The bishop reminded ACW
members that even though they
have a history of faithful support
for overseas missions, “now we
have to think about missions in
our own parishes.”
The bishop illustrated that
need when he relayed a friend’s
story. Their six-year-old was in
school, just after Easter, singing
a song with the line ‘He is risen.’
‘Who is risen?’ asked her friend.
‘God,’ she said. ‘Who is God?’
the friend asked.
He told how, in England, everyone is buried by the local vicar
unless expressly directed not to,
which meant meeting a lot of
people who didn’t attend church.
Many were elderly widows who
told him they prayed every night,
just as they were taught to do as
children, but they had no idea
what it was all about.
“Then we’d talk about Jesus,”
he said. “They need people to get
alongside them and say, ‘this is
the point and the purpose.’
“There is a responsibility
that lies upon us to bring that
message as best we can: I am the
bread of life.”
He ended with a quote from
a missionary to India, D.T. Niles:
“Sharing the gospel is simple. It’s
one beggar telling another beggar
where to find the bread.”
Other highlights of the
gathering were speakers Rob
Pitman of Threshold Ministries
and youth and intergenerational
ministries director Colin McDonald. The group conducted
its annual business meeting
and heard reports from various
deaneries, subgroups and events.
The members enjoyed a banquet
at Cathedral Memorial Hall on
the evening of May 6.
“Our diocesan ACW annual
meeting was a wonderful two
days, a time of renewing friendships and a time of making new
friends,” said ACW president
Rosemarie Kingston. “Special
thanks to all those people who
made our meeting such a success.”
McKnight photos
Top: Ladies gather for coffee before the first session May 5. Middle: Stephanie Thornton and Christina
Snyder of the Catholic Bookstore in Saint John did a brisk business. Bottom: Bishop David Edwards was
guest speaker at the Tuesday service. He spoke of the need to bring God to our neighbours, many of whom
have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ.
8 / The New Brunswick Anglican
JUNE 2015
parish news
Stephen Ministry comes highly recommended
By Harold McGinnis
Parish of Coldbrook
- St. Mary’s
It all began in the autumn of
2011, with visitors to St. Mary
& St. Bartholomew’s Church in
Saint John from Church of the
Cross in Bluffton, South Carolina. They told us about a very
important and active ministry
called Stephen Ministry.
It’s a one-to-one lay caring
ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen
Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and
empower lay caregivers—called
Stephen ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential,
Christ-centered care to people
who are hurting.
Stephen ministers are members of the congregation who receive special training to provide
one-to-one Christian care to
people in our congregation and
community who are experiencing challenges in life—grief,
loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss and
many other difficulties.
St. Mary & St. Bartholomew’s
became very interested in
becoming involved. In 2012,
parishioner Janet Williston went
to Florida for training, joined by
submitted photo
Stephen ministers from the Parish of Coldbrook-St. Mary’s are, left to right: Joanne Fitzpatrick, Andrew Robertson, Sylvia Clifford, Carol Anne
Foster, Janet Williston, Betty Betts, Karen Vandenbroeck, Cyndi Norris, Barb Field, Rev. Greg McMullin.
people from all over Canada and
the United States, representing
various Christian denominations.
Upon her return, after careful
prayer and consideration, and
the blessing of our minister, Rev.
Greg McMullin, four members
began their six-month training,
with Janet as trainer.
Our first group of Stephen
ministers — Andrew Robertson, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Sylvia
Clifford, Barb Field and Janet
Williston — was commissioned
in 2013. Since then, they have
been actively involved with eight
different care receivers, as well
as doing visitation at hospitals,
nursing homes and conducting
telephone ministries.
In the fall of 2014, another
group of four began the training.
On April 19, Cindi Norris, Carol
Anne Foster, Betty Betts and
Karen Vanderbroeck were commissioned as Stephen ministers.
We are blessed to have two
more people who plan to take the
Stephen leaders course this June.
The need is certainly out there for
more Stephen ministers.
Without a doubt it is a time-
consuming and often challenging calling. However, the
personal reward is great, when
with God’s unwavering spiritual
presence and prayers, you see
your care receiver making.
We highly recommend that
congregations get involved. Contact Rev. McMullin or check out
the website: www.stephenministries.org.
It’s not just youth group anymore
You will be hearing more about
YIG — the Youth and InterGenerational team — and how
they are reinventing youth ministry within the diocese.
The vision is to help train and
develop leaders in all aspects
of youth ministry and to help
parishes in youth development
programs and events and to redefine what youth ministry is.
It’s not just youth group and
Sunday school anymore.
YIG is led by Jason Smith
(Parish of the Nerepis and St.
John) and Colin McDonald
(youth and intergenerational director) with members appointed
by Diocesan Council and highly
motivated youth leaders.
Early in 2015, the YIG team,
with Threshold Ministries,
organized Youth Matters held
in Saint John, Fredericton and
Moncton.
These events opened the conversation of how youth ministry
can look like in the Diocese of
Fredericton.
This was just the beginning of
what is about to come.
Colin McDonald
What can YIG offer you or
your parish?
Youth Network is being
created in the diocese with a
website and forum where ideas,
stories and resources can be
shared. This network will assist
parishes to collaborate together
for regional events and training
opportunities.
Grants are available that can
help parishes with youth events,
supplies, training opportunities or assistance in developing
a youth program. Parishes just
need to contact the chair with a
request and the YIG team will
see how they can help.
Resource - Colin McDonald
and YIG members are willing to
assist parishes and are available
to meet and get the conservation
going.
In September YIG will hold
a Youth Leader Conference. Details include a keynote speaker
and some training workshops on
youth Alpha, Godly Play, Messy
Church and more.
This will be an opportunity
again for leaders to share their
stories, ideas and build community among each other.
Another training event
includes the Canadian Youth
Worker Conference (CYWC)
Nov. 6 and 7, in Moncton. More
details to come.
If you’re interested in joining the YIG team, would like to
be added to the network list or
would like additional information,
contact Jason Smith, YIG chair at
therezadm@gmail.com or Colin
McDonald (506-721-4781).
The question now turns to
you: how can YIG help you and
your parish?
submitted photo
Conciliation training continues for 12 lay people and clergy
who will work with parishes to encourage reconciliation when
dealing with conflict. This took place at the InTheStillness
retreat centre in St. Martins. Clockwise, from top: Victoria
Hachey, David Alston, Caryn Gunter, Rob Marsh, Karen Finley,
David Turner, Ken Neilson (facilitator), Allen Tapley, Debbie
Kantor, Cathy Laskey, Brenda MacPherson, Fran Bedell and
Debbie Edmondson.
The New Brunswick Anglican / 9
JUNE 2015
around the diocese
‘Cathedral brand’ sells pewtersmithing shop
By Gisele McKnight
It seems fate — or maybe divine
intervention — has played a
role in the sale of Cathedral
PewterSmiths to Dora Boudreau
of Hanwell, but the Cathedral
brand will continue.
Dora doesn’t usually read the
Daily Gleaner, but on the day
she happened to pick it up, she
read the story of the pewtersmithing shop for sale.
“It was purely fate,” she said.
She contacted Charles Davies
and the two made a deal.
Cathedral PewterSmiths has
been around for decades, operating in the basement of Cathedral
Memorial Hall.
Several area parishioners have
crafted pewter ornaments, jewellery and medallions for years,
but with waning interest in the
business and the hall undergoing
upgrades, Charles, who has been
at the heart of the operation
since the beginning, decided
selling was the best option.
He received four enquiries,
but no deals were made until
Dora read the story.
As has been the case all along,
the proceeds of the sale will go
to Christ Church Cathedral’s
restoration, although the price
will remain a trade secret.
Dora is not new to pewtersmithing. She has a studio and
storefront space in Harvey,
called Atlantic Pewter and Glass.
Although the manufacturing
equipment she’s purchased will
add to what she already owns,
she was more interested in
the product line that has been
popular for decades at craft fairs,
Cathedral Pewter.
“It adds a whole new line of
very well established and well
loved ornaments,” to her own
products, she said. “I bought the
workshop more for the Cathedral brand than the equipment. I
have a lifetime supply of fabulous designs.”
The moulds include original
Dr. Ivan Crowell designs. He is
considered the father of pewtersmithing in Canada and taught
the earliest Cathedral pewtersmiths, including Charles, the
art.
She’s already tried the moulds
to produce her own Cathedral
Pewter and she’s happy with the
results. This craft season, Dora
will have her products for sale at
several events, including RibFest,
the Scottish festival in Perth, the
Moncton Highland Games and the
New Brunswick Highland Games
in Fredericton, among others.
Charles is relieved the sale is
McKnight photos
Dora Boudreau and Charles Davies
examine the first pewter ornaments
produced in Dora’s shop in Harvey. She
bought the pewtersmithing shop from
Cathedral PewterSmiths this spring. At
right are some of the Cathedral designs,
including originals of Dr. Ivan Crowell.
complete and the equipment is
almost all moved. He’s delighted
the Cathedral brand will continue.
“We loved doing it,” he said of
He turned my life around!
I was baptized as an infant in
England, but my family did
not go to church. We came to
Canada when I was 14, and we
lived on a farm northwest of
London, Ont.
While we lived there, social
custom demanded that we attend church, and that was where
I first became involved. But I
did not meet Christ until my
mid-40s.
Four years after I had my
daughter, I suffered a major
miscarriage at six months.
The shock caused what we lay
people call a nervous breakdown, and I became bipolar. I
was bipolar and in and out of
hospital for 16 years.
Eventually we moved out of
Toronto to the village of Bancroft, since my doctors told me
that I would never be well while
I lived in Toronto.
I loved living in the country again, but six months after
the move, I became ill again,
and drove myself to the village
hospital.
While I was there, a Gideon
came to visit me, and led me to
the Lord. That was on March 18,
1974, the day that turned my life
around.
The Anglican minister in
Bancroft took me under his wing
that summer, and I attended
church regularly, and became
involved with the local interdenominational prayer group.
On Nov. 15, 1974, a Baptist
minister from Florida spoke to
the group, and prayed for me
after laying hands on me. There
I received the baptism of the
Spirit, and the process of healing
began.
Since then I have earned four
degrees!
I knew then that I was called
to serve the Lord in some capacity, and went back to school to
prepare.
On May 10, 1981, I was
ordained to the transitional diaconate, and became a priest on
May 14, 1982. I thank God daily
for rescuing me and bringing me
into His kingdom!
The Rev. Brenda M. McKnight, honorary assistant to
Rector Allen Tapley, Parishes of
Waterford & St. Mark’s, Sussex
Corner.
•••
Testify is your chance to
share what God has done in
your life — an amazing miracle
or an everyday event that
had God written all over it.
It doesn’t have to be long, in
fact, it shouldn’t be more than
250 words. Send them in and
they’ll appear, with you name
and parish, right in this spot.
This won’t work without your
help, so don’t be shy. Sharing
our awesome God’s works and
wonders is a wonderful way to
inspire and uplift others. Send
via email: gmcknight@diofton.
ca or via post: Gisele McKnight,
115 Church St., Fredericton
E3B 4C8.
the past two decades. “I’d hate to
see something just disappear. It’s
nice to be able to carry it on.”
Over the decades, Cathdral
PewterSmiths has raised over
$100,000 for Christ Church
Cathedral restoration, and Dora
has promised to continue that
tradition, pledging a commission
for each cathedral piece she sells.
A labour of love
submitted photo
The Parish of Upham held its annual roast beef supper May 2 at
the Central Kings Rec Center in Titusville. It was well-attended,
perhaps because of the unique all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. It
is truly a labour of love, with much support from the parish and
the community. Heather Allaby is in the white apron, with Jaymee
Saunders at the end of the table. The parish held a combined
service April 26 and hosted a well-attended concert by Living
Waters, with members Dwight Bond and Betty Ann Condly of
Hampton and Wanda Moore of Sussex. Colin McDonald, diocesan
director of youth and intergenerational ministries, was guest
speaker, who spoke about sending children to camp this summer.
10 / The New Brunswick Anglican
JUNE 2015
o u t r e a c h
Successful
dinner will
send kids
to camp
By Gisele McKnight
A fundraising dinner for Camp
Medley has raised about $5,000
which will allow more kids to
attend camp this summer.
Youth and intergenerational
ministries director Colin McDonald is happy with the efforts.
“We’re extremely pleased
with the number of people who
turned out and with people’s
enthusiasm and support for the
upcoming season at Camp Medley,” he said.
All of the profits from the
salmon dinner will pay for camp
registration fees.
“We’re so thankful for
people’s generosity. The proceeds
from this dinner will send at
least 20 kids to camp.”
Some might believe putting
on a large dinner is a lot of work
just to send 20 kids to camp.
Colin sees it another way: “We
could ask the 20 kids who get to
go to camp if it was worth it. I
think they’d say yes!”
Colin has said all spring that
he’d like to see 700 kids at camp
this summer, a huge increase
from previous years.
He and his advisory team
set about making that happen
and the fundraising dinner has
been the focus. Advisory team
member Don Adams, a caterer,
offered to cook the meal, and
plans began.
On May 2, Don and his wife,
Irene, the diocesan treasurer,
along with Synod staff, and
alumni and staff from Camp
Medley worked to prepare and
serve the meal for 124 diners.
“I want to thank Don and
Irene Adams for preparing the
meal, the synod staff for helping in the kitchen, and Camp
Medley’s staff and alumni,” said
Colin.
“They made sure everyone
was served and they stuck
around to help clean up.”
Deputy Premier Steve
Horsman was guest speaker. He
talked about the importance of
the camp in the province and the
70 years of contributions to the
community.
Having had a son who attended Camp Medley, Mr. Horsman said he can attest to the
positive impact it has on kids.
Bishop David Edwards told
the crowd that the most important aspect of camping ministries
is that they centre on Jesus.
“There is a great need for our
camps to point young people
towards a lifetime of following
him,” he said.
“For many people who look
back on their experience of these
ministries over the years, it is
seen as a vital part of the foundation of a life in Christ.”
Colin cautions that fundraising to send more kids to camp
has only just begun.
“We’re not done!” he said.
“We’re still looking for generous
people to help us send kids to
camp so they can have lifechanging experiences. We’re
always accepting donations.”
The organizers would like to
thank Christ Church (Parish)
Church for the generous use of
their hall and kitchen for the
dinner, and for those who donated items for the silent auction.
The Parish of Ludlow &
Blissfield prayerfully prepared
a large gift basket designed to
give a taste of the Miramichi,
with homemade jams, jellies,
pickles, preserved Miramichi
fiddleheads, homemade fudge,
recently bottled maple syrup and
chocolate plus many assorted
items. International Paper, Rocky
Brook donated this prize: a day
of trout fishing on a private
lake near the headwaters of the
Southwest Miramichi River with
an experienced guide and boat.
The organizers wish to thank
all who bid on items, bought
dinner tickets, donated to Camp
Medley’s cause and helped in the
kitchen.
McKnight photos
Top: Gina Ouellet, Camp
Medley staff alumni,
leaves the kitchen with
plates of glazed salmon,
mixed vegetables and
flavoured basmati rice.
Right: Archdeacon Cathy
Laskey plates the salmon
in the busy kitchen while
Linnea Fetter, camp staff
alumni, waits to deliver
meals to diners.
Bottom: A crowd of 124
diners enjoyed the meal
and donated generously
to help send about
20 kids to camp this
summer.
The New Brunswick Anglican / 11
JUNE 2015
music column
Matthew West, Fireflight: rock solid albums
I
t is unfair. No music reviewer should have to decide
between two great albums
to review for the last issue of a
paper before the summer. Yet this is my situation, so
I shall make the best of it, and
review both. Neither one gets
the words they deserve, but
perhaps upon listening to these
great projects, you will fill in the
blanks I leave behind.
First off, Fireflight. A band
that I have loved and followed
for many years has released its
first album on its own, thanks
to incredible support from a
PledgeMusic crowdfunding effort. Innova (latin for “renewal”)
also celebrate the band’s 15th
anniversary together, with only
two line-up changes over that
time.
The album’s release was
delayed when lead singer Dawn
Michele had a baby in March
(some locals might remember
hearing an early version of “Resuscitate” at last year’s EasttoWest Festival in Shediac). This new album marks an intentional and significant change
in their sound, but one that
shows how the band continues
to mature, and is not tied to the
trappings of a successful “formula” of music making (anyone
remember when U2 released
Actung Baby?). Dawn Michele’s vocals soar,
the guitars are deliciously
“crunchy” in spots, but the overall palate of sounds is expanded
through heavy use of electronica
elements. This may lose them
some fans, and gain them some
new ones.
The electronic expressions
on the album are not the only
thing different. This album lacks
the power ballads that usually
grace a Fireflight album. There
are some slower tracks (“Easy
To Break” comes to mind as a
somewhat stark, vulnerable, and
beautiful piece of music). The overall message of en-
couragement in Christ that is
the core of Fireflight’s being is
as present as ever, though not as
direct on this album. Also new
is a duet — Stephen Christian of
the recently disbanded Anberlin guests on the track “Safety”
(he and Dawn sound fantastic
together!). This is an album of risks, as
albums should be, but one that
succeeds for me. The reviews
out of the gate questioned the
musical decisions and style
changes, but I think we’ll look
back on this album as a natural progression for a band that
still has a lot to say. Well done,
Fireflight!
Matthew West has now
completed a trilogy of fan-story
inspired albums, where he writes
a song based on a story told
him by fans who have contacted
him. The intention was to put
himself, the singer, behind the
story being sung. A humbling
move, and one that speaks a
strong message of Matthew’s
own faith and spiritual growth. Live Forever, the newest album, has a tough job in following its two successful predecessor, but it succeeds. This is a
fantastic album!
“Day One,” the lead single,
shot up the charts, and is a
catchy song that defies you to get
it out of your head. Its addictive
melody and chord progression
are signatures of Matthew West,
the talented musician with a gift
for seeing the “hook” in a song. “World Changers” is similar
in its sense of getting into your
mind. In fact, the great variety
of instrumentation and style on
this album is both its strength
and weakness. For me, there is
no weak song, or one I might
skip over. Each song is powerful
in itself. However, in terms of the
whole album, the tracks are a
little disjointed, with so many
different styles making it hard to
find a musically-binding element
through the whole album. It’s a small thing to pick out,
which really speaks of how
strong this album is. Matthew West may not draw
from this particular well again,
as telling others stories can only
go so far. But, like Fireflight, he
has put together a strong collection of songs that speak of faith,
hope, encouragement and the
reality that we are not alone in
this world, ever. Both albums make for great
summer listening. Enjoy them to
the fullest!
Rev. Chris Hayes is a musician
as well as a priest serving in the
Parish of Salisbury and Havelock.
Happy birthday, Mary
Nancy Wiggins, retired parish nurse,
St. Margaret’s, Fredericton
Janet Toole photo
The Anglican Church Women of Christ Church Cathedral
celebrated the 90th birthday of Mary Allwood with a surprise
party April 21. Mary has been an active volunteer at Christ
Church Cathedral for decades, first with a Brownie pack, then
as co-ordinator of receptions following memorial services and
funeral. She’s seen here with her great-granddaughter Zoë Goss.
Favourite book of the Bible – Psalms
Provenance (birthplace) – Saint John, N.B.
What you love most about God – His presence in all
circumstances
Favourite place on Earth – By a lake in Queens County, N.B.
Farthest you’ve been from home – Alaska, Italy
Favourite meal or dessert – Ice cream
Biggest fear – Loss of my wonderful friends
Hidden talent – Still to be discovered!
Favourite movie or book – Still Alice
Your hobby – Walking, reading
Three things always in your fridge – Cheese, orange juice,
ice cream
Favourite sports team – The ones my grandchildren are on
12 /
June 2015
The New Brunswick Anglican
intergenerational ministries
St. Michael’s: Once
you go, you’re hooked
Leadership
in place
at Camp
Medley
By Gisele McKnight
By Gisele McKnight
It’s not salt water, but the St.
John River is a close second to
the Northumberland Strait, as
far as Maren McLean-Persaud
is concerned.
The Pictou County, N.S. native is Camp Medley’s director
this summer, and she’s thrilled
to be back in the Maritimes.
“I love it,” she said of being
close to home this summer. “I
like Ontario and I love Toronto,
and when I lived in Alberta the
mountains and prairies draw
you in, but here it’s the water.”
Maren’s husband of nearly
18 months, Christian Persaud,
will act as assistant director.
He was born and raised in
Toronto. The two met at Knox
College in Toronto and both
graduated with Masters of
Divinity degrees this spring.
“Until we’re called to a
church, we’re not reverends,”
said Christian. “We’re just
people with theology degrees.”
In the meantime, they’re
eager to put those degrees,
their faith and their experiences to work at Camp Medley.
Maren has extensive leadership
experience at Presbyterian
Camp Geddy in Merigomish,
Pictou County.
Christian has experience as
a camp chaplain in Alberta and
mCkNIGHT PHOTO
Christian Persaud is the assistant camp director, while his wife,
Maren McLean Persaud, has accepted the position as camp
director. Both are 2015 graduates of Knox College in Toronto.
became hooked on camping
ministry.
The two heard about the
Medley job openings from
a friend and were looking
for something they could do
together.
Maren will oversee the
camp’s staff, programs and
policies, and Christian will
support her, the staff and
campers in whatever way is
needed.
“My goal is for kids to
experience a sense of community and God’s love here
so they’ll want to come back,”
said Christian.
They’re both excited by
youth and intergenerational
ministries director Colin
McDonald’s push to bring
many more children to camp
this summer, as party of Camp
Medley’s 70th anniversary.
In their first few days at the
camp, they were impressed with
the peaceful surroundings.
“I love the open spaces and
the huge green space in the
middle,” said Christian. “I’m
from the city where there’s so
much concrete and buildings.
It’s nice to get in touch with
nature.”
Maren, too, is happy with
what’s she seen.
“I can tell just by how it’s
laid out. It’s so communal, so
lovely in its simplicity,” she
said. “We’re privileged and excited to get to know life here.”
Colin is happy to have
found Maren and Christian.
“This year we searched far
and wide to find the absolute
best team for such an integral
ministry in our diocese,” he
said. “We’re incredibly excited
about the ministry that going
to be happening at Camp Medley this summer.
“We can’t wait to see what
God will do with this awesome
team he’s put together.”
Staff arrive in mid-June, and
the first camp of the season,
Family Camp, runs June 26-28.
Camp Brookwood ready for campers
In the chapel at Camp Brookwood there were banners made
by campers which had various
scripture verses. During the
first teaching session on the
first day of camp a leader was
able to teach the campers the
basics of looking up passages
in the Bible.
One camper looked at the
banners and noticed the references. She flipped through her Bible
from CBS and found the verses.
She exclaimed, “Hey, they
are all in here! I found them!”
I said to her, “Good job!”
She smiled and said, “I’ve
never had my own Bible before.
I like that I can take the words
home with me. We can really
have these, right?”
I just nodded. For the rest of
the week she brought her Bible
faithfully to each teaching session. And when she left I saw
it sticking out of the top of her
bag.
Those are the inspiring
words from staff at Camp
Brookwood, the diocese’s other
camp, this one in Florenceville-Bristol. Do we get that
excited about our own Bible to
look up a verse?
With new roofs on their
kitchen, hall, craft building and
washrooms, and a new staff
building and basketball court,
Camp Brookwood is ready for
another season so that kids like
this girl will come to cherish
the word of God and take it
everywhere they go.
The camp has an enviable
staff to camper ratio of 8:26.
They also have a no-turn-away
policy for campers.
Most of their campers are
sponsored — 61 per cent of
their 107 campers last year
were subsidized. The camp
needs around $50,000 to operate each season, so of course,
donations are always welcome.
What can you do for Camp
Brookwood? Volunteer on
work days, join the board and
bring fresh ideas, suggest a
child for sponsorship, hold
a fundraiser, and of course,
donate and pray.
Visit the camp’s website:
campbrookwood.ca
It would be unthinkable for the
Rev. Canon Kevin Stockall to
ever miss St. Michael’s youth
conference.
“It’s not just the development of faith for conferees,” he
said. “Everyone grows — staff,
staff ’s kids, grandkids.”
He includes himself in that
group and he’s been part of it
for years.
“St. Michael’s has been one
of a handful of things in my
ministry that has encouraged
and developed my own personal
ministry and faith,” he said.
The annual gathering,
intentionally called a conference, combines recreation and
fellowship with what Kevin
calls “substantial Christian
education and worship.”
It’s designed for kids aged
13-19 and runs from Monday to Saturday Aug. 24-29 at
Camp Wildwood near Bouctouche. This year is the 29th
such conference in the Maritimes.
Both Kevin and the Rev. Dr.
Ranall Ingalls will again serve
this summer on the teaching
staff.
“I’m a convert to Anglicanism,” said Ranall. “I love
Anglicanism, and the idea of
spending a week with people
who also love it and want to
pass it on is attractive.”
But this is not strictly a
holiday week. Morning prayers
begin at 7:30, followed by
breakfast and then three classes on topics from the Bible,
theology and spirituality.
Lunch is followed by recreation and games. The evenings
have recreation and educational elements.
“The image of St. Michael is
intentional,” said Kevin. “He’s
one of the archangels who does
battle for God. He defends
God’s people. The model of
St. Michael’s is trying to obey
God’s will, discovering God’s
will. It’s about Christian maturity and growth.”
Kevin is thrilled to help
plant seeds and then watch
the kids each year grow and
challenge themselves in their
Christian walk.
For Ranall, the whole thing
is a bit of a mystery.
“I’ve often thought it
shouldn’t work,” said Ranall.
“Most of us are egg-headed nerd
The Rev. Canon Kevin Stockall
priests. We pray on our knees
two or three times a day on
bare floor. There’s three hours of
studying a day. It just shouldn’t
work but it does. We wind up
enjoying it and enjoying the kids
— we have great kids.
“If they come back a second
year, we’re pretty sure we’ll see
them the next three or four
years.”
Phoebe Robertson, 19, has
been at St. Michael’s eight times,
and she’s planning number nine
for August. She began as a staff
member’s child and kept on as a
conferee throughout her teens.
Now she works there.
“It’s probably my favourite
week of the year,” she said,
even beating out Christmas.
“There’s something very, very
special about having a place to
meet other young Anglicans
and worship together. It’s like
summer vacation and vacation
Bible school all in one.”
Like last year, Phoebe will
be on staff as a counsellor
to junior girls. She says the
classes are interactive and the
teaching staff are excellent.
“They’re incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly open
to discussing hot button issues
like science and religion,” she
said.
The recreation isn’t bad
either — trips to Magic
Mountain, the beach, malls,
plus movies and pool parties.
Then there’s quiz night, where
the kids put their newly gained
knowledge to work in a game
setting — a highlight for the
self-described “very competitive” Phoebe.
“I will continue to go as
long as I can,” she said happily.
If you’re interested in attending St. Michael’s youth
conference, contact Kevin
Stockall at St. Mary’s church
in Fredericton, or via email:
kevin.stockall@bellaliant.net